Li Chengwu glanced over the numerous scions who had registered and gave a slight nod. "Then we shall proceed with the academic test. Only those who pass may advance to the next round."

With that, he had the test questions handed out. The questions of the academic test were, in fact, all matters the clan had dealt with before, or cases drawn from the Merchant Association. 

Some had absorbed such knowledge through long exposure and would surely hold a great advantage, the direct-line scions of the Li Clan among them. They had regular contact with the clan's inner workings and its business affairs, and so naturally knew how to handle these problems. This too was an advantage of the direct line. 

Some might consider that unfair, but in the end, one had to play the cards they had been dealt—or acquire new ones themselves. 

Soon, the test ended. 

Li Guang looked perfectly calm. Indeed, a mere test was no obstacle in his path. After all, he had been exposed to many affairs of the clan, and now he remembered the important details. 

Soon, the elders and Li Chengwu nodded; there was no objection at all to the first-round academic test.

"One hundred and sixty have passed the test!" Li Chengwu announced. 

Just like that, two hundred eight had been cut o...